A few of my Hilderbrand collections..I've actually given quite a few away to friends to read. The covers of her books definitely speak to me!
Until cancer. After I found out about my cancer, I went to visit my brother Jeff in Columbus. We had this trip planned for awhile, we were going to see Justin Timberlake, it was going to be awesome! I decided I'd treat myself to buying the newest Elin Hilderbrand novel, The Perfect Couple, to read on the plane, and take a break from my school books for awhile. I was so excited to escape back to the world of the East Coast, and just live there for awhile and forget about cancer. We got on the plane, and I let myself dive in. Just a few chapters in, a main part of the storyline became the fact that the main character's mother was battling breast cancer, and was hoping to see her daughter married before she died. Done. I couldn't read any further. That was most definitely NOT the book for me to be reading at that point! In fact, I tucked the book in the pocket of the seat in front of me, and left it there. I couldn't even keep it. I hope the person after me appreciated it and fell in love with this author the way I did, but I knew I couldn't read it. I was trying to escape cancer for a bit, and I surely couldn't read that book at that time. I was so bummed and sad. I was so excited to read it.
Fast forward a few months...knowing I had a summer of chemo and a lot of rest in front of me, as anyone logical person would do, I slowly began to gather up my book supply. Beach reads were mostly definitely taking up a large part of that list! I bought another Hildebrand book I hadn't read yet, and I couldn't wait to start it. I knew it would be my perfect, chemo round one book. It was called The Rumor. It was great. I actually started it in my chemo chair that very first day. It even made me excited for that day, because I knew I got to start that back! It's the little things right?! There were a few cancer references here and there, but not a main part of the story, and certainly not enough to make me stop reading. As with every other book of hers, I absolutely loved it. I usually finish her books in a day or two, but I had to read this one a little slower, because actually those first few days right after, I was a bit too tired to really even read much. (I'll update more about how round one is going a bit later...I had to share this first. I was too excited!) But this morning I finished it. It was great, as always. I finished it thinking of all things Nantucket, and ready to hop on a plane and go visit. But that isn't the main part of this story.
The Book - The Rumor
At the end of her books, she has an acknowledgements section. I lazily flipped from the last page of the story, processing the characters and how it had ended. I'm always a little bit sad when good books end. I wasn't necessarily planning on reading the acknowledgements at that moment, as we needed to get going, but as I had flipped the page, my eyes wandered over the first few lines, and stopped me in my tracks...well I was laying in my bed, so not literally stopped me in my tracks, but you get me. The first lines of her acknowledgements in this book said this:
"As many of you are certainly aware, this novel was written while I was battling breast cancer. I have dedicated it to my surgeons, who are among the most brilliant, talented professional human beings I have ever encountered. In addition, I would like to thank my medical oncologist, Steven Isakoff, for continuing to keep me in good health..."
She goes on to thank others that helped her get well. But it continues...
"I was buoyed by those of you who reached out to me, either on Facebook or in other ways - many of you who are fighting or have fought this battle yourselves."
She ends by saying:
"Last, I would like to thank my children, Maxwell, Dawson, and Shelby Cunningham. Have a mother who is writing two novels a year and batting cancer is kind of like having no mother at all, but the three of you managed to make me feel like I was doing something right each and every day just by listening to your voices and watching you grow. You are the reason I fight, you are the reason I write, you are what makes my whole life complete, and I love you."
WHAT?!?! You guys...she just might be my favorite author. I have read countless books of hers over the last year. I actually felt like I learned quite a bit about her last summer, as I read through her books and acknowledgements after her books. I had no idea she even had breast cancer. It turns out she did. In 2015. She had a double mastectomy, just like me. Today, she's doing great! This book. Why had I not read this book? It isn't new. It was published in 2015. Why didn't I read this one last summer? How did this book make it into my very first chemo bag? Well I know. This is totally a God moment. I am loving them so much when they happen. They literally stop me in my tracks. My favorite author had breast cancer. She SURVIVED breast cancer, and the book she wrote WHILE she was battling cancer was the book that I was so excited to read, and made it with me into my very first chemo bag, and that I read during my first round of chemo. Just nuts. This is just one of those things that isn't a coincidence. Her ending thoughts echo mine exactly. My kids. I've worried so much that this summer they will feel like I'm not mom. But I know we will be okay. We will make it. I'm not writing two novels. ;) I'll be okay! They are the reason I fight. They make my life complete. We will be okay.
To Elin Hildebrand...you have been one of my faves since I stumbled upon your books last year. I have now officially moved Nantucket even higher up my bucket list. In fact, I just might need to be the post cancer celebration trip for me and Cullen. THANK YOU for encouraging me again, that I can do this, and I've got this. This book was exactly the book I needed to read at this moment. If you can write this book while you battle, I can mom my kids this summer! I got this! Also, if you need some great reads this summer, I can't recommend her books enough! You will be transported to Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard, and the lives of her characters. You won't be able to put them down!
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